Professional associations call for strike in protest against new Income Tax Law

AMMAN — Professional Associations Council has decided to start a strike next Wednesday in protest of the new amendments to Income Tax Law.

Following a meeting on Saturday, head of the Council Ali Obous, who is also president of the Jordan Medical Association, said that, although the tax volume in Jordan is less than in other countries, the level of services offered to citizens is “a lot less” than it is supposed to be.

In the statement, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, Obous added that the services Jordanians receive are less than the amount of tax they pay.

The government last week endorsed the 2018 amendments to Income Tax Law. Prime Minister Hani Mulki stressed that the dialogue over the key law would continue with lawmakers “to reach a just version that ensures success in combatting tax evasion and improve services offered to citizens”. 

Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said that the bill is part of a comprehensive economic and financial reform drive, reflecting policies that the government adopts to achieve self-reliance and build a strong economy that “strengthens political positions”. 

In resorting again to citizens’ pockets, Obsous said that the government has proved inability to address economic woes and tax evasion. 

He also claimed that the government has drafted the new income Tax Law without consulting professional associations and civil society orgainsations.